Welcome to 2024 at Woodvale Secondary College, an Independent Public School that empowers, challenges and supports students in Years 7-12 to be future-ready.
In this, my tenth year of leading our College, I feel that I can truly say that we have grown together. I felt very fortunate at the commencement of 2015 to be given the opportunity to lead a school which has a proud tradition of serving its community since 1985 by providing wonderful opportunities for learning in a positive, safe and welcoming environment. In the intervening nine years, the College has witnessed many changes as we continue to adapt to changing circumstances. I am very proud of the way in which students and staff have bounced back after our three years of COVID. At our Presentation Evening in October 2023 it was my pleasure to witness the graduation of our Year 12 cohort, many of whom I had come to know well, especially the prefect group so capably and maturely led by our four Head Prefects.
Woodvale Secondary College has long been a school of choice for families in the Kingsley/Woodvale area and has built on its reputation on outstanding pastoral care, excellent academic results, sporting opportunities, and a commitment to serving its wider community.
We have a strong connection with our local area intake primary schools through the Kingswood Network. Our students are connected to their local community through workplace learning, music performances, links to Edith Cowan University, sporting engagements and an array of incursions and excursions.
We pride ourselves on the relationships that we develop with students and their families. This is achieved through regular College to home contact, the availability of our staff, our dedicated Student Services team, and our commitment to the social and emotional wellbeing of every student.
We take very seriously our values of respect, responsibility and relationships and expect that all Woodvale community members honour them.
One of the best aspects about a school our size is the amazing array of opportunities that is available to students: from specialist programs to Cadets to excursions to mentoring and much more. Every year I urge each student to take up as many opportunities as they can. We frequently find that those students who are the most successful and most positive about their secondary experience are those who have engaged the most and embraced every opportunity.
This year we plan to use our STEM building to its fullest extent, not only for our AEE STEM program, but for many learning areas and classes. I look forward to sharing in these endeavours with you. There are many opportunities for families to engage with our College: parent evenings; committees of our specialist programs; College Board; P & C; volunteering; attendances at performances, sporting fixtures and College events.
Families of Year 7 students
We know that this is a special time for you and your child as they enter secondary school. Our very successful Orientation Day last year was the first step in their transition to a different learning environment. This is followed up with the traditional Big Day In. There will be information evenings throughout the year for you to learn more about your child’s journey through secondary school.
Our past experiences have taught us that students are very adaptable and are more than capable of learning new skills quickly. We very much look forward to seeing the progress of our youngest students through their secondary career.
Finally, education works best when the three parties- young persons, parents/caregivers and staff- work collaboratively, and actively and respectfully seek positive solutions to any problems that might arise. We encourage you to engage in your child’s education by attending College events, viewing your child’s results on Connect and having regular discussions with your child about their school experiences.
In the meantime, please know that we remain absolutely committed to our mission:
To empower, challenge and support our students.
I invite you to visit our College and attend a College tour or other advertised event to gain personal experience of our College.
Kind regards,
Lea Fairfoul-Hutcheon on behalf of the Executive Team